Because Stella lives in her own suite her at DogDaz Zoo, it is not often that I capture her in photos. Usually the rest of the crew is busy doing silly things and getting all the camera time. But Stella is a sweet beauty, she just needs to be alone. I guess you can say she is the truest of cats at DogDazCats2. Most of us think of cats as social animals, but the truth is, their DNA shows them to be more solitary then pack.
“The independence of cats is one of the features most admired by those of us who love them. Given their evolutionary history as solitary hunters, it is easily explained. Seeking their prey alone, cats – with the exception of lions and sometimes cheetahs – have not developed patterns of collective action and hierarchy of the kind found in dogs and other pack animals. ‘Herding cats’ is a metaphor based on fact: cats don’t live in herds.” – The New Statesman, philosopher John Gray
DogDaz friend, Jeanne Bellis, is doing outstanding work taking hard to place dogs and helping them socialize and reintegrate to new homes. Here is Part 2 of the Socializing Waylon series. Waylon, a catahoula-cattledog mix, was in a bind. His owner, a US Marine, was being deployed overseas and Waylon, a dog aggressive, fearful mess, had only one hope – Bellis Boot Camp. Follow Jeanne as she socializes Waylon with her pack. It’s amazing what patience, smarts, good training and love can do. This is part 2 of the series as Waylon learns how to make friends with other dogs.
Happy 9th birthday, little man. Though you’ve only been at the Zoo for 7 months, you have turned our world around. You have made us little dog lovers in a big dog world. Even the cats like you sometimes (especially Noel). Thank you for adopting us and letting us be your final forever home. I guess you had to bite your way through many homes (at least 5) until you found your perfect place with us. Here’s to the next 9.
DogDaz friend, Jeanne Bellis, is doing outstanding work taking hard to place dogs and helping them socialize and reintegrate to new homes. Here is Part 1 of the Socializing Waylon series. Waylon, a catahoula-cattledog mix, was in a bind. His owner, a US Marine, was being deployed overseas and Waylon, a dog aggressive, fearful mess, had only one hope – Bellis Boot Camp. Follow Jeanne as she socializes Waylon with her pack. It’s amazing what patience, smarts, good training and love can do.
Fireworks are legal to buy and shoot off here in Maryland. People start celebrating at least a week before the 4th of July and for a week after. It is crazy noisy for hours every night after dark. Mom makes us stay inside with the curtains closed and the music on. We don’t even want to go pee before bed because every time we step out in the yard we hear another ‘boom boom!’ Why do human’s think this noise is fun? We just don’t get it.
To balance the evening noise, Mom gets us something special (we think it is deer antlers or bully sticks this year). This will keep us busy after dark. And we also take a nice long walk before dark so we are tired. All these things help us through the evening celebration.
Have a wonderful super duper day and stay safe at night. Hope you get a special treat too!
The box story pictures flow clockwise from here —v
Sofie: Hey, Mini, what’ya doing up there? (While sucking on the blanket because the box is scary and making her nervous.)
Mini: Mom got new rain boots so I got a box.
Nine: What do you mean, Mini, that YOU got a box? Let me see that box. (As he jumps up on the bed to investigate.) Get out now, I want the box! (Trying to throw his weight around.)
Mini: No way! Finders keepers, losers weepers. (Crouching low to fill the space.)
Mom note: Later that night in the dark, Nine was hiding in the box while the others were nowhere to be found. Who’s the keeper now!
The 4th and 5th of July are the busiest days of the year for animal shelters and emergency vet clinics as frantic animals break in or out of houses and yards. Early preparation for the Fourth can save you and your pet a lot of grief. Here are some articles to help you prepare your dog.
Mr. B, an ex-shelter dog, became a therapy dog in October 2016. He loves to talk about his endeavors, his "big" furry sister Ms. Zulu, and life in general.
